Irfan Ali Daris helping several students to fulfill their educational dreams by establishing a library and study hall in the central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
A science graduate hailing from Gazurgund village in Budgam, Irfan has named the library “Iqra Library Cum Study” where students and youngsters from various surrounding villages visit every day to study.
The library provides free books for competitive exams, including IAS, KAS, JKSSB, SSC, NEET, JEE, JRF, NET, SET and study material for classes 11th and 12th. It is equipped withinternet facility and receives daily newspapers.
Irfan has completed his primary education in his native village, Gazurgund village, and secondary education at Government Boys Higher Secondary Budgam. He graduated from the Government Degree College in Budgam.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Irfan said when he was studying in college, it was his dream to crack the UPSC exams. “But due to the lack of proper guidance and counselling, I could not qualify it.”
He heard that the Zakat Foundation of India conducted scholarship exams for UPSC aspirants in 2019. “I qualified for the exams, and I moved to Delhi for UPSC coaching purposes in 2019,” he said.
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown across India, “I came back to my home and started the preparation for the UPSC exams at home,” Irfan said.
During his short stay in Delhi, he visited various libraries where he used to enjoy spending time. “It inspired me to start a similar library in my district to assist young budding students who can’t afford books or other study materials,” he said.
When he came back home, Irfanstarted library in a small rented room in the district headquarters, but when more students started using it, he had to move it to its current location in the main town.
He took a loan of Rs. 4 lakh from the bank to build the library’s infrastructure.Presently, the library has more than 250 books for the UPSC, competitive exams, and NEET exams.
“My library has 100 individual cabins where about 100 students can study for 24 consecutive hours at a time,” he said, adding “We have a 24-hour light backup, drinking water facility, and a wifi connection.”
Rather than getting involved in anti social activities, Irfan suggests people should read books and acquire knowledge.
